Ohio College Football Insider

Enlarge ImageRequest to buy this photoBill Wippert | Associated PressKent State’s Dri Archer leads the nation in kickoff-return average (47.7 yards) and is one of college football’s most versatile players.

Huddleston heads OWU surge

There were times the previous three seasons when Ohio Wesleyan defensive end James Huddleston felt like an outcast on campus. The Bishops weren’t winning, and fellow students were not kind.

“People would make fun of the football team,” Huddleston said. “We didn’t get much respect. That was hard to take. Now, people are congratulating us. It feels so good.”

It wasn’t Huddleston’s fault that the team won only 10 games in three years. In 2011, he was voted North Coast Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year on the strength of having 23.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks. There weren’t many pass rushers in his class in Division III his freshman and sophomore years, either.

The only thing that has changed for Huddleston as a senior is that he is getting more help. Ohio Wesleyan is 6-0 under first-year coach Tom Watts, tying its fastest start since 2001.

“Now, we’ve got support from the city of Delaware, the university, alumni and student body,” said Huddleston, who is from Pontiac, Mich. “We feel obligated to win for them. I think we’re making a statement.”

Huddleston always plays a loud game. He is making a serious run again for conference defensive player of the year with nine sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.

Offensive tackles often outweigh Huddleston — he’s 5 feet 11, 220 pounds — by 50 or more pounds, but he uses their girth to his advantage.

“I’ve always had the speed moves, and that means I’m coming off the ball faster than the offensive line,” he said. “I do think I am relentless. They might get a hand on me, but I can still blow past them.

“But what really helps is our entire front is made up of speed guys. I can get blocked, but the linebackers behind me and guys next to me make the play. We’ve got 11 guys flying to the ball. We’ll be in such a hurry to get to the ball that we hit our own man.”

That is not boastful talk. The Bishops lead the conference in rushing defense (2.2 yards per rush), interceptions (12), sacks (28) and turnover ratio (plus-11). Opponents are successful on third down 31.3 percent of the time.

“We’ve got the same scheme and same players from last year, but this year we’ve got more adrenaline because the offense is staying on the field longer,” Huddleston said. “Last year, we wore down. The offense and defense have hearts that are beating together.”

Ohio gets deserved break

Ohio University, ranked 25th in the Associated Press poll and featured in Sports Illustrated, gladly will lay low and enjoy a bye week after seven mostly grueling games. The Bobcats won’t practice until Wednesday and will be off Saturday and Sunday.

Coach Frank Solich said he isn’t concerned about the players getting so much attention. The Bobcats are ranked and 7-0 for the first time since 1968.

“That’s certainly a real credit to our coaches and players, but there certainly is a long way to go,” he said. “There has been very, very little talk about (the record and ranking).”

Solich said he hopes injured safety Gerald Moore and defensive lineman Carl Jones will return for a game at Miami University on Oct. 27. Defensive lineman Tremayne Scott will be questionable.

“It comes at a really good time for us,” Solich said of the bye. “It has been a physical season for us, and it is showing.”

Archer: Catch him if you can

Dri Archer has been a major factor in helping Kent State win five of its first six games for its best start since 1973, or when Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert was a senior for the Golden Flashes.

In a 31-17 victory over Army on Saturday, Archer rushed for 222 yards on 12 carries, including an 87-yard touchdown, and had a 24-yard touchdown pass to quarterback Spencer Keith on a halfback option.

Archer, a 5-8, 175-pound fourth-year junior from Laurel, Fla., leads the nation in kickoff-return average (47.7 yards) and kickoff returns for touchdowns (three). Army kicked away from him.

Archer is on the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, which goes to the most versatile player in the nation. He has rushed for 625 yards and six touchdowns, caught 16 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns and has 525 yards on kickoff returns.

“You have to be aware of where he is at all times,” Western Michigan coach Bill Cubit said. “He might be the most exciting guy in the conference.”

Cubit, whose team plays at Kent State on Saturday, compared Archer to Pittsburgh Steelers receiver and kick returner Antonio Brown, who played at Central Michigan from 2007 to 2009.